The new restaurant has officially
been named Plaza Beastro. A Restaurant Naming
Contest was held in coordination with B98 FM,
providing us with an outstanding 3,000 plus name
possibilities! We had many excellent, creative names
submitted and we thank everyone who contributed
their ideas. After much deliberation, the final name
was chosen and is actually a hybrid of two names.
The name was unveiled and the two winners were
announced at the restaurant’s Grand Opening, held on
April 25. Congratulations, Chris McNiece and Jinger
Titus! Click here for
full press release.
It may not look like it, but construction on the main
restaurant is almost done! April 25 (10:00 a.m.) will be
Grand Opening Day - we will cut the ribbon and reveal
the restaurant name and announce our contest
winner. However, the final stages of construction
includes restructuring the small ponds that surround the
restaurant as well as tearing down and removing the old
Gazebo Grill. This means you might see more construction
equipment and vehicles in the Zoo on weekdays. On the
Weekends we expect fewer vehicles in the Zoo. Until the
new restaurant open its doors for business you can find
food & beverage items at Kookabura Canteen or Nganda
Cafe.
Not only are we finishing up construction on the new
restaurant but we've already started construction on the
future tiger exhibit which is directly across from Nganda
Island. Please watch for signs showing the best way to get
to The Downing Gorilla Forest because the main guest pathway
is being reworked to make more room for tigers. While the
path is being reworked the tram will not be able to run, but
we will ensure that there is a footpath for our guests. The
Zoo is definitely undergoing some changes, but there is
still plenty to see and do at the Zoo. All we ask is that
you be patient with us because things definitely don't look
like they should and it might take a little longer for you
to get around the Zoo.
The Zoo is
currently selling pieces from a
Swarovski silver crystal collection.
This crystal collection was graciously donated by Robert and
Shirley Mellinger and family. Proceeds from all sales will
go to fund amphibian and reptile conservation projects that
the Sedgwick County Zoo supports, such as those for the
Grand Cayman blue iguana, Puerto Rican crested toad, and
Jamaican iguana.
Feel free to purchase one or multiple pieces of this
beautiful crystal, many of which are animal replicas. Please
contact Karen Bates at kbates@scz.org or 266-8367 if you
need more information, pictures about a particular piece, or
would like to make a purchase. Help support a great cause
and become owner of a beautiful, brilliant piece of crystal
artwork. They also make great gifts!
Note: Some of the pieces in the collection are damaged;
these are marked as "BROKEN" on the list. These will be sold
to the best reasonable offer, depending on the extent of the
damage. If you are interested, please contact us and we'll
be happy to describe the damage, send pictures of the item,
or set up a time for you to come check it out!
About Swarovski Crystal
The Swarovski company is a world-renowned crystal company,
founded in 1895. It is headquartered in Austria. Swarovski
calls its finest quality, full-lead crystal “silver
crystal.” It is man-made and more color brilliant than
natural rock crystal. The company developed precision
cutting techniques in order to create sharp, identical facet
angles that give the crystal pieces superior brilliance and
sparkle. Swarovski crystal is noted for its purity and
refractive qualities, and the pieces are also great
collectibles.
Researcher records gorilla vocalizations with a “musical”
quality by Sandy Wilson, DVM, MS - Associate Veterinarian
Singing gorillas? Who has
ever heard of such a thing? Not many, according to Sarah
Schaefer, Ph.D. candidate from Rutgers University in New
Brunswick, New Jersey. And don’t expect them to perform in
front of an audience. Schaefer, who has been studying
Sedgwick County Zoo’s gorillas for the last six months, says
gorillas vocalize the most at the end of the rest period
prior to feeding and during feeding. “These vocalizations
probably indicate excitement/anticipation of the food. They
also vocalize during resting and feeding to keep in contact
with each other and to indicate contentment.”
The gorillas have a
complex repertoire of sounds, ranging from the
purr heard when they
want to make contact or reassure each other at the end of a
rest period just prior to being fed, to a
rumble that may be
heard when the gorillas start to eat. Other types of
vocalizations include a single
grunt, multiple grunt ,
and
neigh. Schaefer uses
specialized sound equipment to record the various sounds she
hears while studying the gorillas. According to Schaefer,
“No one has published spectrographic evidence of the rumble,
purr, multiple grunts, or the neigh as of yet.” A sound
spectrograph, such as the one Schaefer is creating, is a
graphical representation of a recorded sound that allows the
measurement of the precise frequencies and durations of each
sound unit.
Samson, Jabir, and
Virgil, the Zoo’s three blackback gorillas, definitely have
a musical quality to their
vocalizations. Many of
the sounds made by gorillas are thought to reflect
contentment. Samson displays the highest pitch when
producing this type of vocalization. “He is like the
soprano in the choir,” says Schaefer. The sounds produced by
Jabir and Virgil tend to be lower in pitch. The
four-to-nine beat
multiple grunts from Matt, the group’s silverback, also have
a musical quality or rhythm. These multiple grunts have not
been heard from wild gorillas but have been heard from the
gorillas at the Toronto Zoo, where another study of gorilla
vocalizations was conducted a few years ago.
Tommy, Billy, Barney, and
Shango are all silverbacks, and they tend to vocalize using
less musical tones. Subordinate animals tend to give more
non-syllabled calls, like the
singing of the blackbacks
, and dominant animals tend to give more syllabled calls
like the
multiple grunts of
Matt. It is thought that non-syllabled calls like singing
also indicate appeasement or submission so that is why the
blackbacks will sing or grumble when approaching Matt’s food
patch or when Matt is approaching their food patch. Close
calls, made when the gorillas are in close proximity to each
other, tend to be quiet and difficult to hear through the
glass. But visitors could possibly hear these vocalizations
outside if they are quiet and the gorillas are close to the
visitors’ pathway.
Previous studies of
gorilla communication in captive and wild populations have
shown that gorillas in zoos tend to vocalize less than their
wild counterparts. Schaefer isfinding this not to be the
case here at Sedgwick County Zoo. “The gorillas here
vocalize at least as much as wild gorillas, if not more so,”
states Schaefer, who has studied wild mountain gorillas in
Rwanda with her advisor, Dr. Dieter Steklis, Professor
Emeritus of Primatology at Rutgers. Schaefer decided to do
her dissertation research at Sedgwick County Zoo because the
population of gorillas here provides a unique opportunity to
compare three groups of bachelor males who differ in their
degrees of relatedness, rearing history, and group
composition. “We can see how these factors correlate with
vocal patterns and other behaviors of the gorillas, and how
vocal patterns correlate with the unique personalities of
each gorilla.”
This type of research
project is a new undertaking for Sedgwick County Zoo. “We
can never stop learning from the animals in our care,”
states Mike Quick, Curator of Mammals. “It is important for
researchers like Sarah to have opportunities to study
animals at zoos. Many scientific methods used in the field
were developed in zoos and aquariums.” The results of this
study should help contribute to the captive management of
bachelor gorilla groups in zoos around the world. According
to Danielle Decker, newly appointed Senior Keeper for The
Downing Gorilla Forest, “The research data that is collected
on gorillas, whether in the wild or in
the zoo setting, continuously provides us with valuable
information on how to best care for these amazing animals.
The research data that Sarah is collecting will benefit
us in understanding the purpose for their vocalizations and
how they are reacting to their environment and other
gorillas."
Sedgwick County Zoo Gorillas’ Repertoire (and
explanations):
This is a rumble from Billy.
Billy and Tommy will also rumble when they start to eat,
although their rumbles are usually shorter than Shango and
Barney's. Billy rumbles more than Tommy does, but Tommy does
purr a lot.
This is a purr exchange
between Barney and Shango. First Barney purrs, then Shango
chimes in (he purrs louder than Barney) and then Barney
purrs again at the end. They usually purr to each other at
the end of a rest period (before being fed) to make contact.
This is a purr exchange
between Tommy and Billy. First Billy purrs and then Tommy.
Billy and Tommy's purrs tend to be shorter than Shango and
Barney's.
This is a neigh from Virgil.
Dian Fossey (American zoologist who extensively studied
gorillas in Rwanda) termed this call a neigh because it
sounds like the neigh of a horse. It is usually given by
silverbacks to their females when the female gets up to
leave after they have been in close proximity. This call
tells the female that he does not want her to leave. Virgil
is still a blackback but he did give this call to Sarah
Schaefer on several occasions after they were "hanging out"
for a long period of time and she got up to leave.
This is a multiple grunt
from Matt. A multiple grunt is a series of grunts of 5-9
beats. They have a musical quality and rhythm to them. These
calls have not been heard in wild gorillas but were heard
from gorillas at the Toronto Zoo during a study there. Matt
is the only gorilla at Sedgwick County Zoo that gives these
calls.
Beats 1,2,3,4,5: very rapid
and short and of the same duration
This is a hoot and chest
beat from Tommy. This is used by the gorillas as a display
to show their strength, or sometimes can be used during play
to get someone's attention or to indicate excitement. They
can be used within the group or to communicate with other
groups.
This is a hoot series from Tommy. A hoot series without
the chestbeat at the end can function as a “lost call” when
group members get separated from each other or when they
want to reach out and make contact with another; gorillas
sometimes will give hoot series for a long time before
ending with a chestbeat. At about 7 seconds into this clip
you will hear a double grunt from Billy, who may be
communicating with and trying to reassure Tommy.
This is Samson and Jabir
laughing as they wrestle, a favorite game of the blackbacks.
Even Matt will wrestle with all of the blackbacks. It is
called laughing because it does resemble humans laughing. It
is good exercise for the gorillas; as you can hear at the
end they are out of breath so have to take occasional
breaks.
The Sedgwick County Zoo
today announced that it has reached its fundraising goals
for a new
Asian tiger exhibit. It
also revealed the name of the previously anonymous lead
donor: Don and Judy Slawson, their three sons and
daughters-in-law.
“The Slawsons approached us
with the idea of bringing tigers back to the zoo,” says Mark
C. Reed, Executive Director. “It’s been more than 10 years
since tigers have been part of the zoo family. The Slawson
family has given the community a great gift in creating a
home for these magnificent creatures. Tigers have
consistently been one of the zoo’s most requested
additions.”
The Slawsons donated the
first $1 million in November 2006 and challenged the Zoo
Foundation to raise a second million. The challenge was met
in December 2007 with the completion of the zoo’s successful
fundraising campaign. The Slawsons responded with the
donation of another million dollars to cover the new
exhibit’s projected $3 million cost.
This state-of-the-art
exhibit will be located next to the Asian Forest and north
of The Downing Gorilla Forest’s Nganda Island. It will
provide complete management resources for maintaining
tigers. Site work is projected to begin in late February and
the exhibit’s anticipated opening is May 2009.
“Tigers have often been used
as symbols of strength and power, but their survival is
threatened as human populations continue to encroach upon
their habitats,” says Don Slawson. “Our family views this
new exhibit as a way to protect and preserve the species
while giving back to the community that has meant so much to
us.”
About Slawson Companies
In Wichita, Slawson
Companies is best known for its highly successful
community-enhancing commercial developments, including
NewMarket Square in northwest Wichita and Oak Creek and
Cross Pointe on the east side.
Don Slawson graduated from
the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor’s in
political science and a minor in English. From this broad
base, he has built a career as a geologist, real-estate
developer and community supporter.
Don Slawson’s lifelong
contributions to education include 10 years on the Board of
Trustees at Wichita Collegiate School and two terms as
member of the State Board of Regents. He served as chairman
of the board his second year. He was also integral to the
efforts to create a law school in Wichita, now the Garvey
Institute of Law at Friends University.
About the Asian Tiger
Exhibit
The largest of all cats, the
tiger is one of the biggest
and most fearsome predators in the world. Weighing up to 500
pounds and measuring more than nine feet from nose to the
tip of the tail.
The exhibit is designed to
be a total immersion exhibit, one that will transport
visitors to the Asian countries where these big cats roam.
And because of the natural design of the exhibit, visitors
will be able to observe the tigers behaving as naturally as
they would in the wild, prowling and playing. Designed with
a river running through the exhibit, the tigers will access
two pools, one deeper than the other. The pools allow the
tigers to either completely submerge themselves or take a
quick dip to cool off. Total square footage of
the exhibit will be approximately 50,000 square feet with
containment walls measuring 16 feet 4 inches encompassing
two tiger yards for up to six adult tigers plus homes for
endangered
red pandas and
Eld’s deer. The exhibit will feature an observation tower
giving guests a view of both tiger yards as well as viewing
ports made of glass, so that visitors can safely get
face-to-face with these magnificent animals.
Sedgwick
County Zoo has become the first zoo in the Americas to
document that Komodo dragons are capable of
parthenogenesis
(reproduction without the contribution of a male). One
Komodo dragon entered the world on January 31 and a second
hatched on February 1, 2008 thanks to this type of asexual
reproduction.
Parthenogenesis is a reproductive process that occurs
naturally in some species including invertebrates, lower
plants, and less commonly in vertebrates such as reptiles
and fish. A parthenogenetic egg needs no fertilization from
a male because it inherits and duplicates the mother’s
chromosome. Based on a Komodo dragon’s genetics of sex
determination, hatchlings reproduced in this way will always
be male.
The
hatchlings are healthy and feisty, the first measuring
almost 17 inches long from nose to tail and weighing 104
grams and the second hatchling measuring 16 inches long and
weighing 100 grams. Both males are doing well. Because of
the nature of Komodo dragons, only one will be on exhibit at
a time starting today, February 6, in the Amphibian and
Reptile Building.
Sedgwick
County Zoo has two adult Komodo dragons; both are female and
cared for separately. One female laid approximately 17 eggs
on May 19-20, 2007 and Zoo staff followed the Species
Survival Plan (SSP) recommendation to incubate and hatch two
eggs. The SSP wanted to further document that Komodo dragons
are capable of parthenogenesis. Only two earlier cases were
documented in 2006 at London Zoo and Chester Zoo in England.
April
20, 2005 - The
Sedgwick County Zoo announced today that it has received a
significant pledge from the Cessna Foundation to add an
exciting new exhibit featuring ever-popular penguins! Mark
C. Reed, executive director of the Sedgwick County Zoo, made
the announcement.
Plans for the new Cessna Penguin Exhibit are currently being
finalized. Grand opening of the exhibit is tentatively
scheduled for late spring, 2007.
“We couldn’t be more excited to add penguins to our growing
list of animals here at the Zoo,” says Reed. “Aquatic
animals are very popular and have been often requested by
visitors as something they would like to see added to our
Zoo. Thanks to the generosity of the Cessna Foundation, this
dream will soon become a reality for our community.” In addition to this gift, Cessna has partnered with the Zoo
for many years including gifts to the Oliver Animal Hospital
and the most recent Keep Your Zoo Heads and Tails Above the
Rest Capital Campaign to complete The Downing Gorilla Forest
and to renovate and expand the Cargill Learning Center.
“Cessna strives to be an active and dependable corporate
citizen that builds effective relationships in the
communities we serve,” said Jack J. Pelton Cessna’s
Chairman, President and CEO. “Cessna employees regularly
name the zoo as one of their favorite places to visit with
family and friends. We’re pleased to be able to enhance the
zoo with this new exhibit, which will be enjoyed by Cessna
employees and others in the Wichita community.”
About the Penguins
The Cessna Penguin Exhibit will begin with 10 pairs of
penguins known as the Humboldt penguin. The exhibit is
ultimately capable of holding up to 40 animals. When many
think of penguins they think of the Antarctica, but Humboldt
penguins are definitely different.
Humboldt penguins are only found along the pacific coast of
Chile and Peru in South America. The total world population
of Humboldt penguins currently stands at approximately
12,000 breeding pairs, with about 8,000 pairs in Chile and
the remaining 4,000 pairs in Peru. The wild population has
undergone a decline with the major causes stemming from
human interference. These include guano collection (used in
fertilizer production) in breeding areas, egg collection,
hunting for food as well as competition for available fish.
Humboldt penguins have a black and white underside, with a
black band along the chest. Their body is plumper in the
middle because of a fat layer that protects them from the
cold. These penguins weigh between 9-11 pounds with a body
length of 26 inches. Like all birds, penguins have feathers,
but their feathers are modified to help them “fly” through
the water. These outer feathers also act like a diver’s
wetsuit and keep the cold oceanic water away from the soft,
fluffy down feathers that keep their body warm. Strong,
stiff flippers help them swim up to 7.5 Kph (5 mph).
Humboldt penguins are getting help from U.S. zoos through a
Species Survival PlanŽ (a cooperative breeding and
conservation program administered by the American Zoo and
Aquarium Association.) This program works to manage the
number of healthy captive Humboldts in addition to assisting
with conservation efforts in the wild. Due to the generosity
of the Cessna Foundation our community can learn more about
these magnificent birds, and together we can do more to help
this species overall.
About the Exhibit
The Cessna Penguin Exhibit will be located between the
popular Children’s Farms area and the Amphibian & Reptile
Building in the Zoo’s central plaza. While design concepts
are still in the planning and imagining stages, a primary
goal will be to keep the exhibit as interactive as possible
for the guest in viewing these marvelous animals. Since the
Humboldt penguin spends a great deal of time in the water,
underwater viewing options will be developed - increasing
our guests’ ability to observe the birds’ natural behaviors.
An exciting addition to the Zoo’s guest services would be
the scheduling of daily “Feeding Demonstrations” by members
of the Zoo’s Bird Management Staff. These feeding
demonstrations are very popular at other Zoo’s and allow the
guests the opportunity for more interactivity with the
animal and more educational information to be shared with
them as well.
The Cessna Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
organization, is committed to enhancing the communities
where Cessna Aircraft Company employees work and reside. The
Cessna Foundation was founded in 1952, and is a
self-governed entity. Since its founding, The Cessna
Foundation has donated over $25 million to not-for-profit
agencies in the areas of education, health and human
services, and culture.
The Sedgwick County Zoo is a not-for-profit organization. It
has been recognized with national and international awards
for its support of field conservation programs and
successful breeding of rare and endangered species. It's the
No. 1 outdoor family tourist attraction in Kansas and is
home to more than 2,500 animals of nearly 500 different
species.
Sedgwick County Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and
Aquarium Association (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever
you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are
supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care
for animals, a great experience for you and a better future
for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited
members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and
your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For
more information, visit
www.aza.org.
Sedgwick
County Zoo has become the first zoo in the Americas to
document that Komodo dragons are capable of
April
20, 2005 - The
Sedgwick County Zoo announced today that it has received a
significant pledge from the Cessna Foundation to add an
exciting new exhibit featuring ever-popular penguins! Mark
C. Reed, executive director of the Sedgwick County Zoo, made
the announcement.
